“Excellent, even better than in previous years. All participants were exceptional.”
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“Super evening’s entertainment every time – long may it continue.”
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“Superb musicians performing at their best in the intimate atmosphere provided by Clonter.”
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“Simply wonderful, a lovely atmosphere and very welcoming people. We will be coming again soon.”
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Audience Feedback 2022
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James Pearson 

James Pearson  will be making his annual trip north, together with the remainder of his trio, Sam Burgess Double Bass and Chris Higginbottom, and special guests for James Pearson & Friends, treating us to a journey through the Great American Songbook – The canon of the most important and influential jazz standards from the early 20th century, that have stood the test of time.

James’s special guests this year will be Polly Gibbons, who has graced the Clonter stage on more than one previous occasion, right at the beginning of her career, returning now at the very top of  it,  just about to release her new album ‘As It is’ (check it out). Also returning is Quentin Collins on trumpet, but making her debut at Clonter will be local saxophonist Alex Clarke.

James Pearson  is a pianist, composer and creative tour de force.

He is the Artistic Director at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club where his trio are the house band. Their last album ‘Swing the Club’, recorded live at the venue, received excellent reviews across the board.

“James Pearson is in shattering form on these sessions.” – The Sunday Times

The recording was ranked at No. 6 in the Sunday Times albums of 2009, and they were delighted to sell out four nights at the legendary Birdland Jazz Club in New York.

James is equally at home as a concert pianist. He has played concertos with the Philharmonia and the BBC Concert Orchestra amongst many others. His performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto was broadcast on Classic FM and Gershwin’s Piano Concerto and Rhapsody in Blue on BBC Radio 2. With collaborations ranging from Paul McCartney to Wynton Marsalis, James is fast becoming one of the country’s most sought after pianists.

Recent commissions by the BFI and BBC have seen James back in the composing chair. The Big Smoke, commissioned by the BFI, is a collection of footage of London accompanied by an 80-minute score composed by James. His work can also be heard performed by Brodsky String Quartet, Sir John Dankworth, The BBC Concert Orchestra and The BBC Big Band.

“The harmony of Messiaen mixed with the rhythmic pulse of George Shearing.” – The Sunday Times

James Pearson is one of the country’s most respected musicians. His work covers all genres of music, especially contemporary music, jazz and classical. He graduated from the Guildhall School, having completed his degree and the Advanced Solo Studies Course. Whilst at college he studied with Robert Saxton, Francis Shaw, Peter Bithell and James Gibb. He regularly performed with the symphony orchestra, including a concert at the Barbican with Takemitzu.

James has broadcast on all the major radio and television networks, and he was the pianist in the Steve Martland Band. His work as a Jazz musician has taken him all over the world. His fine piano playing and arrangements can be heard on over 50 albums.

Amongst the many people James has worked with are Dame Cleo Laine, Maria Ewing, Marian Montgomery, Petula Clark, The John Wilson Orchestra, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Buddy Greco, Johnny Griffin, Joseph Horowitz, Richard Rodney Bennett, Ray Davies, Polly Gibbons, Nigel Kennedy, Robbie Williams, Rufus Wainwright, Gregory Porter, Imelda May, Jeff Beck and Paul McCartney.
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Polly Gibbons – Vocals

“Polly Gibbons is unmistakably a class act, getting classier fast.” – ★★★★ The Guardian

“I love her voice, really soulful. Can’t wait to hear more of Polly…” – Joss Stone

“Gibbons is a jazz talent whose voice is also steeped in vintage R&B with shades of Aretha Franklin… A programme that sensitively mixes standards and originals.” – The Sunday Times

Polly Gibbons has forged a successful career on the international jazz circuit spanning two decades. Polly has been twice-nominated as “Best Jazz Vocalist” by the BBC and Jazz FM and compared to a female version of Gregory Porter by US magazine Downbeat. While an accomplished jazz artist, Polly’s musical influences as a vocalist and composer began in childhood with roots in blues, soul, gospel and R&B – so much so that The Sunday Times described her jazz vocals as “vintage R&B with shades of Aretha Franklin”. Straight out of rural Suffolk, Polly arrived onto the London jazz scene at age 17, surprising audiences with her raw talent. She has since performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall opening for George Benson and Gladys Knight, and had a residency at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club. In London she is a regular at Ronnie Scott’s. In 2014, Polly signed with Los Angeles-based Resonance Records, a testament to her growth as an artist, where she recorded three critically acclaimed albums. This led to an international tour, where Polly performed at venues and festivals across the USA, Europe and Asia, from Java Jazz in Indonesia to the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, securing her status as a seasoned, internationally acclaimed artist. In autumn 2022, Polly fulfilled her long-standing ambition to record an album of all her original songs with “As It Is”. Recorded at The Old Jet studio in Suffolk, this album – her ninth – will be released in June 2023. “As It Is” is written, arranged and produced by Polly, and co-produced by long-time musical collaborator and artistic director at Ronnie Scott’s, James Pearson.

Click here to visit her website
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Quentin Collins – Trumpet

Brought up around the sounds of jazz by a music loving father, Quentin had seen many of the greats by a young age, including Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and Dave Brubeck. This had a profound influence upon his decision to become a professional musician. In 20 years as a professional, Quentin has established himself as one of the UK’s top Jazz/Commercial trumpeters, having performed, toured and recorded with a plethora of internationally renowned artists across many genres. These include Fred Wesley, Gregory Porter, Mark Ronson, Kyle Eastwood, Omar, Basement Jaxx, Roy Ayers, Alicia Keys, Dennis Rollins and Mulatu Astatke. Quentin released his debut solo album ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ on Sunlight Square Records in 2007 to much critical acclaim.

Click here to watch Quentin Collins Quartet Live at 606 Club, London, 2017
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Alex Clarke – Saxophone

“One of the UK’s finest young jazz talents” – The Jazz Rag

As a finalist in The BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star Category I the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 and 2022, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile young saxophonists to have emerged on the British Jazz scene.

Click here to visit her website
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Ticket Pricing & Booking Information

Tickets £25, £32, £37, £42, FREE for 26-year-olds and under (ID may be required)

Early Bird Ticket (10% Discount) available until 18th January

Group Discount (10% Discount) 10+

U3A Discount (10% Discount)

Doors Open 6pm

Performance Starts 7pm

Interval 70 minute supper interval; pre-order supper, or bring your own picnic
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Priority Booking for Patrons 28th December

Priority Booking for Friends 4th January

General Sale 11th January
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Drink Arrangements – All drink consumed inside the premises must be purchased from the bar. These may be ordered in advance.
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N.B. Table booking facilities close a week before the performance date. Pre-order drinks facilities close at 4pm the day before a performance.
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Partnered with Tickets for Good – Click here for more info
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